MEMBERS
MAKING THE NEWS
August
2001 Newsflash
Message
from the Editor:
This year's Visionary Forum proved to be a highly productive
roundtable discussion of Industry, Financial and Community leaders
from the greater Western States. The topics addressed included
the impact of Stem Cell Research, the Advancement of Women in
Technology, Education and the Energy Crisis. It also touched
on futurist subjects such as the Next Wave of Technology. Though
we did not solve all the nation's problems in this half=day
gathering, we did have thought provoking interactive panel discussions.
This month's newsletter will feature soundbites from the Forum
discussions written by contributing reporter, Joe Susca, Technology
Division of the City of Culver City.
Warmest Regards ~ Ssusan Forte O'Neill
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SPECIAL
ENERGY UPDATE FROM THE GOVERNOR
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Tal Finney,
Senior Policy Advisor for the Office of Governor Gray Davis
reported at the Visionary Forum that five new electrical generation
plants are now operational, with anticipation of several more
being on-line by the first quarter of 2002. The governors office
also reports electricity conservation efforts have been very successful
statewide ranking California as number one throughout the U.S.
The
Economics of Real Estate in Today's L.A. Market
Robert Barnes, Real Estate Counsel, Fulbright & Jaworski
L.L.P, has this take on the downtown Los Angeles office leasing
market: 'In spite of the dot-com debacle, the downtown office
market seems to have stabilized in recent months, with a decline
in the vacancy rate for Class A and B space and positive net absorption.
There seems to be real interest in the downtown market as an affordable
alternative to some of the more expensive suburban markets. Of
course, if the telecom meltdown continues and begins to negatively
affect 'telecom hotel' leases, that could alter the downtown resurgence."
Larry S. Bloomer, Vice President, Coldwell Banker
Commercial WESTMAC echoes Barnes' assessment of the current
downtown real estate market. Additionally, he comments on the
West Los Angeles market, "... vacancies have continued to
outpace occupancy since January 2001, especially in the sublease
category. 1st Quarter 2001 (-1,162,762 sq. ft.), 2nd
Quarter (-808,098 sq. ft.), and 3rd Quarter as of July
31st (-420,410 sq. ft.) Percentage vacancy in this sub-market
has risen from a single digit to 13.2% and at 17.8%, when available
sublet space is included. Annual rental rates have not reflected
this new available space and average $30.52 per sq. ft. FSG. It
is the author's opinion "ask" rental rates will diminish
in this or the next quarter."
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON REAL ESTATE NEWS
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VISIONARY
FORUM 2001 BRIEFING AND NOTES:
Contributing Reporter Joe Susca, City of Culver City
The
Life Sciences Phenomenon panel discussed the ethnical and
science research challenges of stem cell research.
It is the hope that stem cells created in the laboratory
may be injected into older humans to reduce degenerative
diseases. The National Institute of Health urges the continued
support of federally funded stem-cell research, as it is
critical to the nations advancement in health research.
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Though
the Knowledge Society of the 21 st Century promised to boost
the economy and make many rich quick through the innovative
B2C & 13213 internet business models, it did not last.
However, the promise to open the doors to women in technology
continues to be furthered by the breaking down of the glass
ceiling and the expanding roles and opportunities available
to them.
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The
panel of visionary industry women shared their own perspectives
on their positive  forecast
for the future of women. Women have continued to prove
that their qualifications do place them in high-ranking
positions.
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"THE
NEXT WAVE OF TECHNOLOGIES"
Visionary Panelists Discussed the Future of Innovations and
Technologies:
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AT&T
Wireless indicated that they will adopt the GSM communications
protocol used in 62% of the world's countries for wireless
communications. AT&T's decision to convert from TDMA
will make 80% of the world's wireless communications GSM.
This will allow AT&T Wireless customers to seamlessly
travel with and use their handsets in other countries, which
meets their goal of anywhere, anytime, and any place communications.
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Pomona
Unified School District, cited for their innovative
concept of developing public and private partnerships to
enhance the overall educational community as a whole, continues
to stand out as one of the five chosen models to be used
for integrating technology in the classroom with private
industry by Governor Gray Davis. Pomona is providing
high-tech tools and instruction for their teachers and has
recently opened a "tech library" deploying
high-tech storage and retrieval systems.
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| All
and all everything new is still old in how we as society
react to building new sectors and meeting the ever-evolving
changes of technology. We as human beings still rely on
the traditional business models of developing a company
while still being able to buy our groceries from a market
and touching the newest fabrics being introduced in this
year's fall fashions. |
| Terry
O'Neill, President/CEO of The O'Neill Company has recently
been appointed to the Small Business Council of America
(SBCA), the only national organization whose sole purpose
is to represent the interest of private and family owned
businesses in federal income and estate tax, pension, healthcare
and other benefit concerns. The primary goal of the SBCA
is to enact favorable federal tax and benefit laws for small
businesses and their owners. The SBCA supports legislation
which creates important economic incentives, and opposes
oppressive and burdensome laws and proposals. |
General
Eugene Tattini, a 36-year Air Force veteran will
take over the post of Deputy Director of the
Jet Propulsion  Laboratory.
General Tattini will officially take over the duties
of Larry Dumas who will be retiring after working
at the Lab for 38 years.
For
more information on JPL refer to Association's website
or contact
Merrilee Fellows, JPL at 818.354.8680.
or
mfellows@ mail2.jpl.nasa.gov
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 The
Landon Pediatric Foundation is seeking a Board Certified
Pediatrician with an interest in the care of chronically
ill children to help direct the Pediatric Diagnostic
Center. Pleasant beach town, top-rated Family Practice
Residency Training site (in academic affiliation with UCLA),
opportunity to care for children in cooperation with top
rated Los Angeles University specialist. Active research
programs in diabetes care, asthma care, cystic fibrosis,
medical device application in children, and telemedicine.Contact
Technolink member Chris Landon M.D. 805-641-4490
or landon@rain.org for more information. |
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Stanislawski
& Harrison is a Pasadena-based full service CPA
firm. The firm specializes in all disciplines of  accountancy
for companies of all sizes. Being the right-size for your
organization's needs Stanislawski & Harrison's expertise
matches that of a big five firm while providing the personal
attention of a small firm. The mission of Stanislawski
& Harrison is to provide "outstanding quality
with the highest integrity at the right size for you."
For
more information contact Kim Covey, Partner, Stanislawski
& Harrison,
626.793.3600
or e-mail: kim@snh-epa.com
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We're
in the process of planning the association's fall/winter
calendar. We look forward to catching up with you in September....
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EDITOR: SSUSAN
FORTE O'NEILL - STAFF REPORTER: JULIE MIYOSHI SHAPIRO
CONTRIBUTING REPORTER: JOE SUSCA • DESIGNER: VALERIE GERDES
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